Recross the Paths

This conversation is a landing place for curious designers and players about the particulars of building and interpreting land-restricted draft environments - Desert Cubes! Bones brings his tremendous expertise on the format to help highlight numbers, design ideas, and high-level ideas to help guide you toward your own positive Desert experience. The Desert Cube (Corince) by Loxodon_Meyerarch Amon...

This week, Arlo, the famous (or infamous) gaytransmulldrifter, guides us through a wild ride of projects and philosophy. We discuss how boring Jace, the Mind Sculptor is, building things your friends enjoy, whether you can actually be good at cube design, and more. ⁠Arlo's Podcast⁠ on Soundcloud Arlo on CubeCobra Pushstart on CubeCobra The $5 Fair 'Nuff Cube on CubeCobra Email the show at recrosst...

This week, Rojja shows off the bespoke and eclectic Rusty Box o' Goblins (also called the Cash Box). We discuss moonshine-flavored cards, jam sessions, the dangerous idea that other people were right all along, and more. Rusty Box o' Goblins on CubeCobra Photos of the Box ! Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

I took things slow for the holidays this week, so enjoy a totally self-indulgent custom design retrospective with my friends Bones and Kyle. Bones and I have worked on several custom projects over the years and we burn some windshield time reminiscing on the good, the bad, and everything in between. Regular interviews will resume next week! Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Color pie? Where we're going, we don't need the color pie! Dan guides us through the Devoid Cube and the Colorshifted Cube, two projects that challenge notions of color in cube construction. We discuss color balance (or lack thereof), using cube size as a tool, embracing dangerously refreshing confusion, and more. Dan on CubeCobra Devoid Cube on CubeCobra Colorshifted Cube on CubeCobra Dan on Blue...

As iron sharpens iron, so one drafter sharpens another! Matt coordinates weekly drafts for designers and players in preparation for CubeCon. We discuss the process of hosting a digital draft for play on Magic Online, evaluating novel environments, the value of consistent scheduling, and more. Matt is mattbelcher on Discord Join the CubeCon Discord at the following link and be sure to request the D...

This week, Joe guides us through the Alternate Timeline, a curated world without the peculiarities of modern Magic. We discuss intentional exclusions, Lunchables, balancing feedback with goals, and more. Joe on CubeCobra (Check out more 5 Alive projects here) Alternate Timeline on CubeCobra Joe is JoeDonkey on Discord Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Dive into the gold mine of Daniel's Reading Rainbow cube this week, an all-multicolor experience! We discuss building projects you care about, balancing an opportunity-rich environment, making your cube fun, and more. Daniel on CubeCobra Reading Rainbow on CubeCobra Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

All aboard! Join TrainmasterGT as he leads us through the Highball 4K. We discuss capturing a nostalgic feeling, using (and not using) format barometers, trains, and more. Highball 4K on the RiptideLab forums Highball 4K on CubeCobra TrainmasterGT on CubeCobra Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Attention campers! Neal guides us through the intricacies of his Micro Cube and the joy of bringing people together. We discuss the weight of decisions in small environments, embracing being a learner, drawing inspiration from the Duelist Kingdom arc of YuGiOh, and more. Neal ( baconeal ) on CubeCobra Neal's Micro Cube on CubeCobra Neal is baconeal on Discord Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmai...

Catastrophe equals opportunity! Morgan explores the design and decisions behind Disaster Movie Cube. We talk card and spreadsheet aesthetics, balancing mechanics, playing what you love, and more. Morgan ( darthpinkhippo ) on CubeCobra Disaster Move Cube (CubeCon Edition) on CubeCobra Morgan is DarthPinkHippo on Twitter Connect with Morgan for more info about LGBTCube Email the show at recrossthepa...

Here there be Dragons! Chill walks us through the frozen reaches of his beautiful Vorthos Desert cube. We unpack building a thematic world, managing overt complexity, being part of a welcoming community, and more. Chill on CubeCobra Dragons of Winter's Night on CubeCobra Chill MTG on YouTube Chill is ChillMTG on Discord Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Long live the king! Warren walks us through treacherous tri-color realms and the decisions that led to their creation. We discuss balancing a broad environment, strategies for playtesting, working with others, and more. xoanon.net/cube - quick link for Warren's CubeCobra page Melded Mardu Monarchy The Bardu Cube Tresserhorn Gardens The Junk Cube Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Join us for a spell! Brett talks about his background in Scrabble, being bold to make changes, being the final arbiter of design for your cube, and more. Brett ( aibretty ) on CubeCobra Low Country Boil on CubeCobra The Fire Swamp on CubeCobra Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Secret, Gift, or Competition? Henry unpacks the fascinating draft environment of Hanamikoji and its uses in Magic micro-projects. We also explore telling stories, participation vs. spectacle, and much more. Henry ( HenryClay1844 ) on CubeCobra Hanamikoji Micro Cubes on CubeCobra Henry is HenryClay1844 on Discord Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Not all those who wander are lost! Thomas discusses his road to CubeCon, the challenge and reward of building a set cube, judging cube events, and more. Thomas ( magesandmentors ) on CubeCobra Lord of the Rings Expanded on CubeCobra Tavern Cube on CubeCobra Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Cher talks through finding stability in The Elysian Cube and empowering players to play what they want in The Citadel of Madness. We discuss building around themes, using lands effectively, and much more. Cher on ⁠Twitter⁠ (@cherjtankian) Cher is @pizzagirl1 on Discord Cher on CubeCobra The Elysian Cube on CubeCobra The Citadel of Madness on CubeCobra Email the show at Recrossthepaths@gmail.com

There's no Tempo like the present! Turner uses The Tempo Cube to discuss building for the gameplay you want, multi-level interaction, choosing 'sub-optimal' cards, and more. Turner ( grenrut ) on CubeCobra The Tempo Cube on CubeCobra Turner is grenrut on Discord Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Let's get weird! In this episode, D.S.B discusses building for tension, small-form design, creating for yourself, and much more. D.S.B is d.s.b on Discord! D.S.B ( dsbcubes ) on CubeCobra (Cubes marked "5A" are 5 Alive projects) Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Two heads are better than one and Mike and Dan are out to prove it! In this double-length episode, this duo from Madison unpacks finding a connection, designing together, the benefits of Bar cube, and much more. Dan (BearlyLupe) on CubeCobra Mike (Mikujin) on CubeCobra MAD Cube on CubeCobra Spirits on Tap on CubeCobra Be sure to check out the Madison Cube Discord! Email the show at recrossthepaths...

Every Penrose has it thorns... or at least a Thornglint Bridge. Lincoln unpacks designing toward archetypes and breaking free of rarity restrictions. Capitol Cube Championship - Sign up now! Lincoln on CubeCobra Penrose Cube on CubeCobra Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Jake unpacks the art of making losing fun in Bodleian Cube! Join us as we explore how to give and receive better feedback as cube designers and players. Jake on CubeCobra Bodleian Cube on CubeCobra One of Jake's Set Retrospective Articles on CubeCobra Jake on Twitter @HGSCube Find Jake on Discord @deinonychus ( Here 's a fun article about what a Deinonychus could have looked like) Email th...

Three life, but perfectly balanced - as all things should be. Keldan shares about walking the razor's edge of designing Bolt Cube to be both novel and fun. Connect with Keldan on Discord @theoinkinator (and be sure to ask about the Seattle Cube Discord!) Keldan on CubeCobra Bolt Cube on CubeCobra Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Leave no stone unturned as Nick guides us through the Desert Rose! This beautiful environment embraces a challenging narrative through a compelling aesthetic and thoughtful design. Nick (Strogie) on CubeCobra Desert Rose on CubeCobra Nick on Twitter (or X or whatever it's called these days) Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

The numbers don't lie! Daniel walks us through how hundreds of data points yield a fresh, fascinating look at building a cube. The Data Generated Vintage Cube is the quintessential result of his handiwork. Daniel's profile page (l0gr1thm1k) on CubeCobra Data Generated Vintage Cube on CubeCobra Follow the CubeCobra link for even more to explore on this project! Email the show at recrossthep...